Proverbs 29:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise [men] turn away wrath.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Scoffers can inflame a city, but the wise can calm the fury.

Berean Standard Bible:

Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.

American Standard Version:

Scoffers set a city in a flame; But wise men turn away wrath.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Scornful^{H3944} men^{H582} bring^{H6315} a city^{H7151} into a snare^{H6315}: but wise^{H2450} men turn away^{H7725} wrath^{H639}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Proverbs 29:8

Proverbs 29:8 is a piece of wisdom literature from the Hebrew Bible, reflecting the cultural and social norms of ancient Israel. The verse contrasts two types of individuals—scornful men and wise men—and their respective impacts on a community.

Scornful men, characterized by mockery, disdain, and a lack of respect for authority or societal norms, are depicted as destabilizing forces. Their behavior is likened to setting a trap or snare for a city, suggesting that their actions can lead to chaos, conflict, or even the downfall of the entire community. This reflects a broader biblical theme that emphasizes the importance of personal conduct in maintaining social harmony and the common good.

In contrast, wise men are portrayed as peacemakers. The verse suggests that wise individuals have the ability to turn away wrath, implying that they can calm tensions, mediate conflicts, and prevent anger from escalating into destructive actions. Wisdom, in the context of Proverbs, often involves practical discernment, good judgment, and the ability to navigate complex social dynamics.

The historical context of Proverbs situates this verse within a patriarchal society where city-states were the central units of civilization. The advice found in Proverbs would have been particularly relevant to leaders and citizens concerned with maintaining order and prosperity within their communities. The themes of this verse continue to resonate today, as they speak to the enduring human challenges of managing conflict and the value of wise leadership in promoting peaceful and just societies.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3944
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָצוֹן
   Transliteration: lâtsôwn
   Pronunciation: law-tsone'
   Description: from לוּץ; derision; scornful(-ning).
   
2. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6315
   There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פּוּחַ
   Transliteration: pûwach
   Pronunciation: poo'akh
   Description: a primitive root; to puff, i.e. blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to kindle (a fire), to scoff; blow (upon), break, puff, bring into a snare, speak, utter.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7151
   There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קִרְיָה
   Transliteration: qiryâh
   Pronunciation: kir-yaw'
   Description: from קָרָה in the sense of flooring, i.e.; building; a city; city.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2450
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָכָם
   Transliteration: châkâm
   Pronunciation: khaw-kawm'
   Description: from חָכַם; wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful); cunning (man), subtil, (un-), wise((hearted), man).
   
6. Strong's Number: H7725
   There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּב
   Transliteration: shûwb
   Pronunciation: shoob
   Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
   
7. Strong's Number: H639
   There are 306 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַף
   Transliteration: ʼaph
   Pronunciation: af
   Description: from אָנַף; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire; anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath.